HC Deb 23 July 1902 vol 111 cc1017-8
MR. MOORE

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on the 14th July the Nationalists in the neighbourhood of Scarva prevented the passage of the sick ambulance, conveying, or proceeding for the conveyance of, patients to the infirmary at Banbridge; and whether instructions will be given to the authorities to secure free passage along this road in the future.

MR. LONSDALE (Armagh, Mid)

At the same time may I ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that an epidemic of typhoid fever prevails at Laurelvale, Tandragee; that on 14th July an ambulance van, conveying typhoid patients to the Eanbridge Union Hospital, was stopped on the highway by a mob, headed by two men named Hugh Campbell and Michael Leary, who obliged the driver to make a detour of three miles in order to reach the hospital with the patients; and, seeing that it has been the custom of the Nationalists for years to close the leading road between Scarva and Banbridge on the occasion of what is known as the sham fight at Scarva, whether it is intended to prosecute these men, and to take steps to prevent a recurrence of such outrages in that district.

MR. WYNDHAM

Proceedings are being taken against the two persons who stopped an ambulance on the highway. That being so. it would not for proper for me to discuss any of the circumstances of the case.

MR. MACVEAGH (Down Co., S.)

Is it not the fact that this ambulance was several times allowed to pass along the road on the day in question? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the stopping it has been publicly repudiated by the leading residents of the district?

MR. WYNDHAM

Obviously it would not be proper for me to discuss suggestions of that kind, and to refuse to discuss other suggestions bearing on the case.

MR. MACARTNEY (Antrim, S.)

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the assault upon Mr. Alexander Moore by Roman Catholics on the public road at Scarva, on the 14th July, when his bicycle was smashed, and he was forced to go round by another road; and whether any steps have been taken to arrest the persons who were engaged in this assault.

MR. WYNDHAM

Yes, Sir. Proceedings are being taken against Mr. Moore's assailants.